A number of benefits are available from participating in counseling. Counselors can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies. Many people also find that counselors can be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, support you to understand your child, deal with educational- family concerns, and the hassles of daily life. Counselors can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution. The benefits you obtain from counseling depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn. Some of the benefits available from counseling include:

• Attaining a better understanding of yourself and your child´s needs
• Helps you both set goals and values
• Develops skills for improving your relationships with children
• Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek school related counseling
• Learning new ways to cope with difficult stressors
• Improving communications and listening skills
• Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones
• Discovering new ways to solve problems conflict (child-parent) (child ‘friends)
• Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence

Every session is unique and caters to each individual and their specific goals. It is standard for counselors to discuss the primary issues and concerns in your life during counseling sessions. It is common to schedule a series of weekly sessions, where each session lasts around fifty minutes. Counseling can be short-term, focusing on a specific issue, or longer-term, addressing more complex issues or ongoing personal growth. There may be times when you are asked to take certain actions outside of the sessions, such as reading a relevant book or keeping records to track certain behaviors. It is important to process what has been discussed and integrate it into your life and your child´s between sessions. For counseling to be most effective you must be an active participant, both during and between the sessions. People seeking counseling are willing to take responsibility for their actions, work towards self-change and create greater awareness in their lives. Here are some things you can expect out of counseling:

• Compassion, respect and understanding
• Perspectives to illuminate persistent patterns and negative feelings
• Real strategies for enacting positive change
• Effective and proven techniques along with practical guidance

In general, the law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and counselors. No information is disclosed without prior written permission from the client.

However, there are some exceptions required by law to this rule. Exceptions include: (In counseling services does not goes into details)

• Suspected child abuse or dependant adult or elder abuse. The counselor is required to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
• If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person. The counselor is required to notify the police.
• If a client intends to harm himself or herself. The counselor will make every effort to work with the individual to ensure their safety. However, if an individual does not cooperate, additional measures may need to be taken.